Spinal Rod Link Reducer

Abstract

The present invention includes a rod link reducer of a spinal fixation system that includes a first and a second spinal rod manipulator; a first spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the first spinal rod manipulator and a second spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the second spinal rod manipulator; a first and a second translatable transverse shaft connected to the first and second joints, respectively; and a universal reducer connected to both the first and second translatable transverse shafts, wherein the universal reducer, the shafts and the linkers provide movement and temporary fixation of a spine that has been manipulated into a final position during spinal surgery.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 364,412 filed Feb. 2, 2009 and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 025,761, filed Feb. 2, 2008, and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 080,162 filed Jul. 11, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates in general to the field of bone fixation, and more particularly, to a novel rod link reducer for use during the surgical correction of mild to severe rigid spinal deformities.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH[0003]None.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with pedicle screws. In rigid severe spine deformity with coronal or sagittal decompensation, translation of the spinal column is necessary for restoration of trunk balance as well as deformity correcti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention solves various problems of current spinal fixation systems and the control of the positioning of temporary rods during spinal surgery. The present invention allows the surgeon to stabilize the spine, effectively derotate the spine, safely translate the spine, and when required, easily derotate and translate the spine to treat spinal deformities.

Problems solved by technology

However, the conventional correction methods, such as posterior correction only or anterior release and posterior instrumentation, are usually unsatisfactory.

However, the anterior-posterior vertebral column resection (VCR) has disadvantages such as long operative time, potential significant blood loss, and risk of intraoperative neurologic impairment due to the spinal column segment instability during the resection and the correction procedure.

However, these techniques have a number of disadvantages: 1) the risk of intraoperative mishaps due to the instability resulting from exchanging the temporary rods may produce spinal cord injury; 2) limitation in deformity correction secondary to a “one-time” correction maneuver utilized using the Suk technique; 3) short segment fixation using the provisional rods since multiple exchanges prevent long rod utilization; and 4) additional surgical time necessary with multiple removal and insertion of the temporary provisional rods.

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